Follow FEMA:

One Week Left To Apply For Disaster Assistance

Oklahoma City, OK -- Oklahomans in the 45 disaster-designated counties
have until 6 p.m. Monday, April 8 to apply for disaster assistance if
they suffered losses due to the January 30th ice storms.

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management
(ODCEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge any ice
storm victims who have not yet called the toll-free application number
to do so before the deadline.

FEMA's toll-free application number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
There is also a special toll-free number for the speech or hearing impaired,
(TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(CST), Monday through Friday until April 8.

Nearly $5 Million Issued

Disaster housing grants, low-interest disaster loans, and individual
and family grants totaling $4,860,836 have been issued to 6,073
ice storm victims throughout the 45 disaster-designated counties (see
attached chart) throughout the state.

The following figures are as of the close of business on March 28:

25,969 Applications have been received

6,073 Disaster housing grants issued, totaling $2,657,996

5,869 Housing inspections issued

5,807 Housing inspections completed

4,478 Individual and Family Grant claims have been issued, totaling
$826,340

12,406 SBA loan applications issued (9,009 home and 3,397 business)

345 SBA low-interest disaster loans approved, totaling $1,376,500

7,097 Individuals visited the Joint Disaster Recovery Centers

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon
as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their
insurance company. If the loan application is not returned, other forms
of disaster assistance will be delayed. Applicants who have questions
about the loan packets may contact the SBA at 1-800-366-6303, Monday through
Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Voluntary Agencies Still Providing Assistance

Requests for debris removal assistance are being coordinated through
a statewide debris hotline. The hotline, 1-800-539-8541, a collaborative
effort of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Oklahoma
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (OKVOAD), is coordinating debris
removal requests with Mennonite Disaster Services and local faith-based
groups.

Disaster Assistance Application Totals by County
Updated at Close of Business March 28, 2002